As Vietnamese businesses face pressure to grow, compete, scale up and demand financial transparency, relying on Excel or traditional ERP systems is no longer enough to meet the speed of operations and increasingly complex forecasting needs. CFOs, FP&A and CEOs need a system that helps connect planning – forecasting – budgeting – performance on a single platform.
That is why the question “When should I use EPM?” is becoming a big topic for every business aiming for sustainable growth.
Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) It’s more than just software; it’s an enterprise performance management platform that connects data, automates planning, accelerates forecasting, and delivers real-world decision-making. The right time to invest in EPM will determine your business’s speed and competitiveness over the next 3–5 years.
Why EPM plays a core role in modern corporate governance
When talking about When to use EPM First, businesses need to understand why EPM has become the “strategic brain” of modern finance. This is the platform that connects data from multiple systems, standardizes FP&A processes, and helps leaders make faster decisions.
What is EPM and why is it important?
Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) is a system that helps businesses:
- Planning
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Consolidation
- Performance Reporting & Analytics
Unlike ERP, which focuses on operational transactions, EPM focuses on the future: simulating scenarios, forecasting risks, evaluating performance, and providing strategic insights to management.
Core Values of EPM for CEO – CFO – FP&A
- Create single source of truth for the whole company
- Shorten forecast cycle from weeks to days.
- Reduce manual Excel dependency.
- Increase financial transparency as you scale.
- Help CFOs monitor strategy with real-time data.
Sactona – Japanese solution for Vietnamese businesses
Exclusively distributed by Bizzi Vietnam, Sactona is an outstanding EPM solution thanks to:
- Excel-like interface – easy to use
- No programming required
- Fast deployment in just 2–3 months
- ROI 3–6 months
- Trusted by Japanese corporations such as Panasonic, Fujifilm, Monex Group
If the business is looking for the "falling point" to decide When to use EPM , start by assessing whether you are currently facing the warning signs below.
Signs It's Time for Your Business to Adopt EPM
This is the most important part to determine Which businesses need EPM? and EPM investment timing appropriate. These signs indicate that the current FP&A system is overloaded and no longer has the capacity to support the growth strategy.
Sign 1: Excel and ERP are no longer enough for planning & forecasting
- Excel files are too heavy, prone to errors, and prone to wrong versions.
- Forecast takes 2–3 weeks per cycle
- Budgets are not consistent across departments.
- ERP only provides historical data, does not support forecasting
When businesses have to deal with multiple rounds of planning and forecasting, Excel becomes a major hurdle.
Sign 2: Distributed data – lack of transparency
- Each department uses a different “version of the truth”
- Lack of data consolidation system from ERP – CRM – BI
- It takes days to compile management reports.
This is a typical sign that When to use EPM : when businesses no longer control data and spend too much time synthesizing instead of analyzing.
Sign 3: Slow forecast cycle – plans don't keep up with the market
- Forecast does not update promptly on changes in costs, revenue, and market.
- Need to simulate what-if scenarios but Excel doesn't support it
- FP&A lacks time for strategic analysis
EPM helps reduce forecasting time to 5–7 days , thanks to automation and real-time data.
Sign 4: Pressure from investors or management to report quickly
- Investors demand accurate data every week
- Management needs real-time dashboard to make decisions
- Unlinked financial and operational reports
At this point, delaying EPM implementation would create huge opportunity costs.
Golden time for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in EPM
As the need for planning – forecasting – consolidated reporting increases, it is time for businesses to evaluate When to use EPM to avoid falling behind in the expansion process.
When businesses need data transparency to make decisions
EPM helps standardize and consolidate financial and operational data, creating a single system serving CFOs and CEOs.
When preparing for IPO – M&A – fundraising
Financial transactions require:
- IFRS Consolidated Report
- Data consistency
- Ability to forecast accurately
EPM becomes a mandatory platform.
When the business is expanding
Opening more branches, expanding the market, increasing the number of products… all put pressure on the FP&A system.
This is EPM investment timing ideal to avoid “patching” later.
Which businesses should invest in EPM?
One of the biggest questions facing financial leaders is: “Which businesses need EPM?” Not every business needs to invest right from the start, but as a business reaches a certain level of complexity, EPM becomes an essential tool to stay competitive.
Group 1: Multi-branch businesses – complex models
This is the group have the highest EPM demand , because of the multidimensional data structure and large reporting volume.
- Many member units
- Dozens to hundreds of P&Ls need to be consolidated
- Distributed data in ERP – POS – CRM
- Lengthy budget cycles
For this group, the question When to use EPM usually has a very clear answer:
👉 As soon as the number of branches exceeds 5–10 units , Excel cannot guarantee the accuracy and speed of synthesis.
Group 2: Scale-up businesses need to standardize their financial systems
Startups/scale-ups entering the rapid growth phase often encounter the following situation:
- Financial processes are not scalable
- Decisions based heavily on emotions
- Lack of performance measurement system
This is the time EPM investment timing become important, helping businesses operate scientific data and avoid loss of resources.
Group 3: Enterprises preparing for IPO, M&A, and capital raising
When preparing to work with:
- Investment fund
- M&A consulting unit
- Stock exchange
… businesses must demonstrate:
- Accurate consolidated reporting
- Transparent data
- Reliable financial forecasting
EPM helps automate reporting consolidation and simulation of different financial scenarios, helping CFOs quickly answer investor questions.
Group 4: SMEs with revenue >200 billion aiming for professionalization
SMEs with revenue of over 200 billion/year often fall into the "transition zone" between small and large enterprises.
At this stage:
- Excel becomes cumbersome
- ERP does not meet planning needs
- FP&A lacks simulation tools
👉 This is the group that Sactona serves most effectively.
Before and after applying EPM – the actual effectiveness Sactona brings
To answer the question more clearly When to use EPM , let's look at real case studies from businesses that have implemented Sactona in Japan and Vietnam.
Panasonic – reduced forecast time to 5.5 days
Before EPM:
- Forecast takes 2–3 weeks
- Data distributed across multiple systems
- FP&A spends a lot of time compiling Excel
After deploying Sactona:
- Forecast cycle reduced to just 5.5 days
- Management monitors real-time on dashboard
- Reduced 70% of manual data entry time
Fujifilm – accelerating global forecasting
Fujifilm has 300+ units worldwide.
EPM helps them:
- Standardize the forecasting model across the group
- Continuously update forecasts according to the market
- Create a globally unified data structure
Marubeni Logistics – Modernizing Processes Without IT
Before: operational forecasting models were built in Excel, making version control difficult.
After using Sactona:
- FP&A self-configuring model (no code required)
- Realtime data updates from source systems
- Reduce the risk of errors due to Excel
Sigmaxyz – deployed in just 3 months
Here is a demonstration of rapid deployment:
- No need to upgrade ERP system
- No need for extensive internal IT support
- FP&A team self-operated after only 2 weeks of training
These case studies show:
👉 When businesses start to encounter barriers in forecasting, planning, and reporting consolidation — that's EPM investment timing most optimal
Benefits of investing in EPM at the right time
Many businesses implement late, leading to large opportunity costs and loss of competitive advantage. Correctly identifying When to use EPM help businesses enjoy full benefits benefit.
Shorten the planning-forecasting cycle
- From 3 weeks to 3–5 days
- Automate approval workflows
- Reduce manual dependence
This helps CFOs react quickly to market fluctuations.
Increase data accuracy and scenario simulation
EPM helps simulate:
- Growth scenario
- Risk scenarios (cost shock, demand drop)
- Financial scenario – cash flow
CEOs and CFOs can make strategic decisions based on data instead of gut feelings.
Optimize cash flow and reduce financial risk
EPM supports:
- Accurate cash flow forecasting
- Real-time budget control
- Early detection of errors
Data transparency for leadership
- Real-time dashboard
- Automatic reporting
- Single source of truth
For businesses preparing for IPO, transparency is vital.
Common business mistakes when investing in EPM
Although EPM brings many benefits, it is not always the right time to implement it. This is an important part to help businesses determine the real When to use EPM and avoid mistake popular.
Mistake 1: Not having a stable ERP but investing in EPM
EPM needs a consistent data foundation.
If ERP is not stable, the business will have to deal with “dirty” data before the EPM model can take effect.
Mistake 2: Confusing the EPM role with HRM, BI, or ERP
- ERP → transaction
- BI → analysis
- HRM → human resources
- EPM → planning – forecasting – consolidation – performance
Mistakes cause businesses to deploy the wrong solution, wasting time and budget.
Mistake 3: Delaying Conversion – Growing Opportunity Costs
Delaying EPM causes businesses to:
- Loss of decision-making speed
- Not keeping up with market fluctuations
- Increased risk of false forecasts
- Cost of human resources due to manual work
Opportunity cost can be much larger than the cost of implementation.
Sactona – Japanese EPM Platform with Low Cost, Fast ROI
When the business has clearly understood When to use EPM , the next step is to choose a suitable solution. In Vietnam, Bizzi is the exclusive distributor of Sactona - an EPM platform from Japan, famous for its flexibility, low cost and fast deployment speed.
1. Why is Sactona suitable for Vietnamese businesses?
Fast deployment – just a few months
Unlike Oracle or SAP which takes 9–18 months to deploy, Sactona only needs:
- 8–12 weeks with standard model
- No internal IT team required
- FP&A can operate on its own after training
This helps businesses start reaping ROI sooner.
Low Cost – Fast ROI
- No server infrastructure required
- No high maintenance costs
- Flexible OpEx model
Businesses often achieve ROI in 3–6 months , by cutting thousands of hours of Excel data entry and manual consolidation.
Excel interface – easy to learn, easy to use, easy to extend
- No programming required
- IT independent
- FP&A builds its own planning and forecasting model
This is the factor that helps Sactona have very high adoption rate , suitable for the Vietnamese market.
Flexible for all types of businesses
Sactona is successfully applied by:
- Large manufacturing corporation
- Retail company
- Logistics business
- F&B Group
- Technology business
For Vietnamese enterprises with revenue from 200 billion or more , this is the ideal time to invest.
Who benefits when businesses implement EPM?
To answer the question more clearly “Which businesses need EPM” , we need to look at the departments that directly benefit from the system.
1. CFO – data-driven strategic decision maker
EPM provides:
- Real-time forecast
- Comprehensive financial picture
- Quickly simulate multiple financial scenarios
- KPI dashboard for strategy
As a result, CFOs can:
- Speed up decision making
- Improve accuracy in resource allocation
- Clear communication to the executive team and board of directors
2. FP&A – reduced 70% of manual Excel volume
FP&A is under the most pressure in cycles:
- Budgeting
- Forecasting
- Consolidation
EPM helps FP&A:
- Automatic data consolidation
- Remove Excel versioning
- Focus on analysis, not data entry
- Rapid simulation of market impacts
3. CEO – increasing transparency in business operations
CEOs need to see the “real-time financial picture.”
EPM helps:
- Track business KPIs
- Control the level of strategy completion
- Evaluate the performance of each department
- Get alerts when there are discrepancies
4. Financial Controller – stronger internal control
EPM helps:
- Standardize the process
- Tight budget control
- Eliminate reporting bias
- Strengthening financial monitoring capacity
Frequently asked questions when considering EPM investment
Below are common questions that help businesses know When to use EPM most accurately
1. Does my business need EPM?
If a business starts having trouble with planning, forecasting, reporting consolidation, or fragmented data, then it is Clear signs it's time to invest in EPM .
2. Is EPM suitable for SMEs?
For SMEs with revenue under 200 billion, Excel and BI may still be enough.
But SME revenue over 200-500 billion , start expanding branches or raising capital, then EPM is the optimal choice .
3. When is the right time to invest?
Correct answer:
👉 When Excel and ERP are no longer enough to ensure speed and accuracy.
Some signs to identify When to use EPM :
- The planning cycle is long.
- Incorrect forecast
- Over-reliance on Excel data entry
- Management needs real-time data
- Businesses want to expand quickly
4. Is EPM too expensive or complicated?
No. Sactona (Sactona) costs 3–5 times less than Oracle/SAP and is 3–4 times faster to deploy.
Excel interface makes it easy for users to access.
5. Is Sactona suitable for Vietnamese businesses?
Have.
Sactona owns:
- Familiar Excel interface
- IT independent
- Low cost
- Fast deployment
- Flexible customization
Conclusion – When should EPM be used to optimize financial performance?
In short, EPM is not for every business , but when the business enters the stage:
- Fast growth
- Data transparency is needed.
- Need to shorten the financial cycle
- Accurate forecasting is needed.
- Need to reduce risk and optimize cash flow
… then that is it EPM investment timing most suitable
Sactona brings to Vietnamese businesses:
- Fast deployment – 8 to 12 weeks
- Low Cost – Fast ROI
- IT independent
- Easy-to-use Excel interface
- Powerful simulation capabilities for CFO/FP&A
If your business is wondering When to use EPM , a real demo will help you see the difference clearly.
Schedule a Sactona demo – Get free advice on the right time to invest in EPM for your business here .
